NYC Commits $75M Toward Electric Vehicles, Chargers

NEW YORK CITY — A $75 million investment will help New York City shift toward electric vehicles, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

“We’ll be installing 275 fast electric vehicles chargers all around the city,” he said Wednesday during his daily briefing. “These charge vehicles seven times faster than regular.”

De Blasio called it the largest single investment in electric vehicles in the state's history — and said it won't stop with chargers.

The city's government will take steps toward fulfilling its goal to be an all-electric municipal vehicle fleet by 2040.

"We're converting 125 diesel-powered trucks to electric," de Blasio said. "That can be done and we're buying 78 hybrid electric ambulances for the FDNY."

The announcements coincide with Climate Week.

De Blasio previously highlighted deals to bring hydropower and wind and solar energy from upstate New York and Canada to the city.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, who appeared at the briefing with the mayor, said steps to mitigate climate change will help the city, particularly communities of color who face the biggest environmental impacts.

“New York City is truly leading the way, and we have a lot more work that has to be done,” he said.